Courageous conversations centered on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice may initially ignite denial about the different forms of oppression that are perpetuated in the international school sector, writes Joel Jr. Llaban. But what we need is to sustain that courage over time. ..more
"These are international school teachers! They’ve lived all over the world—they're my people; they’re not supposed to be racist..." Ruth Poulsen considers the line between culture shock and racism, suggesting we ask four reflective questions and take up an additive lens. ..more
“Racism” and “global citizenship” sound incompatible. This past year, however, we’ve been forced to acknowledge that systemic racism exists even within the international school ecosystem, where students unknowingly absorb the racial biases of a hidden curriculum. ..more
Since international students are brought into tertiary education systems to diversify them, writes college counselor Nayoung Weaver, colleges should accordingly take responsibility and provide a supportive environment for these students rather than expect them to "orient." ..more
We often view our leaders as having carefully crafted their careers from the outset. But there are as many paths to leadership as there are leaders. Each journey is unique, and as polished and successful as we perceive women in leadership roles to be, they didn’t all start out that way. ..more
In the past year, WIDA has partnered with a variety of researchers and practitioners to better understand how to support multilingual students, their teachers, and their schools in the midst of the ongoing COVID pandemic, and they have some ideas to share. ..more
Joel Jr. Llaban shares an update on developments since a petition circulated recommending that all agencies and organizations involved in accrediting and evaluating international school quality worldwide include antiracism and antidiscrimination principles in their standards. ..more
Having coached over 30 women leaders in the past year as they’ve navigated the leadership search process, it strikes me that some of the same attributes that make so many women effective leaders stand as obstacles to their success in the search process. ..more
The Planet Classroom Network has launched its programming schedule with 28 cultural organizations committed to global programming. Young people from around the world played a significant role in conceptualizing, creating, & producing the network’s vision & programming. ..more
International educators of color shoulder the added burden of having to explain their multi-layered and complex identities, according to Jessica Huang. Entering this field, she was unprepared for the amount of microaggressions she would face. ..more
As mindful educators, we understand the power of modeling attributes related to inclusivity that we hope to see our students embrace. On-going reflection and action towards further inclusion is essential as we look to create a culturally inclusive environment. ..more
Critical reflection among educators is a central aspect of the effort to engage in advocacy and in the fight for social justice in international schools. Transforming our schools into sites of belonging means analyzing ingrained norms and rooting out exclusionary practices. ..more
Many of us acknowledge that diversity in international schools is a foundational value. However, in practice, we rarely see that diversity reflected in our leadership positions. Kim Cofino has interviewed over 70 successful women in leadership and has come away with many insights. ..more
Last August, Search Associates sent a letter addressing its plans to become a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. After conducting six listening circles, CEO Jessica Magagna reports on the learnings that will shape company strategy and actions moving forward. ..more
Drawing on observations from a vibrant life of learning through reading, writing, listening, and dialoging, Sherri Spelic asks us to rethink the world we are building for ourselves and our children in schools, in our communities, and in our societies. ..more
In an effort to improve antiracist practice, Emily Meadows and Daniel Wickner discuss intent in relation to impact and share a series of infographics that cover topics such as cultural appropriation, color blindness, microaggressions, white privilege, and more. ..more
Yvette Cuenco shares highlights from her recent talk on Filipinx/Asian American history and allyship with the Black Lives Matter movement, presented at the November 2020 Association for International Educators and Leaders of Color and Women of Color in ELT conference. ..more
Decolonization work in schools begins, argues Fiona Hopper, with the kind of inquiry that questions assumptions about what makes a civilization. What if the measure of a civilization were not the size of its monuments or the power of its hierarchies but rather its sustainability? ..more
As we make decisions about the kind of global citizens we hope our schools will produce, it is important to examine some of the beliefs and assumptions which underpin differing conceptions of what it means to be a global citizen. ..more
The Diversity Collaborative was born in 2017 to address the lack of diversity in international school leadership. Over the past three years, more than 600 educators from across the globe have signed on, committed to advancing the work of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. ..more
By By Anna Clara Fontoura Fernandes Reynolds & Xoài David 11-Nov-20
The Organisation to Decolonise International Schools held a webinar that brought together two alumni groups, Out For Solidarity (OFS) and #DoBetterDover from the Overseas Family School Singapore and the UWCSEA Dover Campus respectively. ..more
After teaching drama and theater for more than 30 years in the international arena, Naima Thompson believes that all educators need to be asking themselves what deep-seated beliefs impact the way in which they engage with students and whether they are truly clear on where they stand in relation to such issues as anti-blackness and white fragility. ..more
Two things worth rethinking in international schools are how we refer to multilingual learners and how we serve them. Terminology matters, and how we refer to students and programs can impact both identity and learning. ..more
Bobbi McDaniel became Director of the American International School of Monrovia in Liberia at the start of the 2020 school year. Briefly setting aside the many demands on her attention, she answered a few of our questions about stepping into this role in this era of uncertainty. ..more
As global educators, we want our students to be open-minded, culturally aware, and to appreciate and celebrate diversity. But racism, discrimination, and various forms of bias impact us all. How can we prepare our students for positive encounters in a culturally diverse world? ..more
When a child’s strongest language is different from that of her family, it can create a sense of cultural disconnection even into adulthood. Anthropologist Danau Tanu pursues her investigation of the racist structures at work within international schools. ..more
A new report published by ISC Research and Next Frontier Inclusion describes inclusion practices and trends within the world’s international schools market. A total of 207 international schools from 69 countries were surveyed; students with learning needs are present in most. ..more
By Xoài David and Anna Clara Fontoura Fernandes Reynolds 03-Sep-20
The Organisation to Decolonise International Schools (ODIS) was launched in the summer of 2020 to address the ways in which global education systems were founded on colonial values, Western dominance and, inevitably, White Supremacy and racism—specifically anti-Blackness. ..more
Like other BIPOC individuals, Daniel Wickner feels as though he has earned a Ph.D. in Race and Culture, decades in the making. He uses that extensive knowledge and experience to support his students as they explore and construct their complex racial and cultural identities. ..more
Reinforcement of the gender binary is present across the spectrum of school life, often hiding both in plain sight and in places we don’t always think to look. As educators, it is important that we learn to see how this binary can affect our students. ..more
Racism in international schools sounds like a misquote. There can’t be racism in international schools; it goes against everything we’re supposed to believe in, against everything we say we promote. And yet... ..more
Teaching literature-in-translation, especially by contemporary writers, is one way to approach expanding diversity in both what and how students learn. This is one of the primary missions of Words Without Borders Campus. ..more
We have to name racism, call it out, and own up to our privilege and power. We have an opportunity here to structurally dismantle racism and shape the present and future of international education so that it is equitable, just, diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist. ..more
It was incredible to work alongside people of color and to be seen for what we are and what we have to offer... It was magical while it lasted. I feared that penning such a candid account would result in my exclusion from the consideration of future employers. But we must. ..more
By Dr. Ashley Hazelwood, AIELOC Fellow & Kevin Simpson, AIELOC Founder 04-Jun-20
AIELOC calls on every stakeholder in international education to commit to action and to making our community more socially just. Now is the time for us to move beyond contrived statements and to assert action to solidify our collective identity. ..more
As educators, if we seek to be true accomplices in the work of dismantling injustice, our commitment must be intentional, urgent, and unapologetic. In the case of dismantling antiblackness within our schools, curriculums and classrooms, there is no time to waste. ..more
If classes were currently in session in international classrooms, I can only imagine the compassion and awe-inspiring debate fueled by outrage over tyranny, by racial conflict, by diverse beliefs, and by a commitment to human equality that would send sparks flying. ..more
From an international educator point of view, I am very fortunate to have a chance to shape, educate, and challenge young minds. To help them realize that we are all human, and that hate and racism are taught! ..more
I’ve thought deeply about the rage, sadness, and fear felt by my colleagues, friends, students, and loved ones who identify as Black People of Color. As a Filipino American, I've experienced racism and prejudice, but I can still enjoy everyday things without fearing for my own safety. ..more
As an educator, I pull from a deep reserve to soothe my students' shattered emotions and try to restore their perceptions of the hate being displayed in my country. But this black woman, this wife, this mother, this school counselor is deeply saddened. ..more
A reflection from Seda Kocharyan on the mysterious criteria that seem to inform certain hiring practices in the international education sector, both at schools and among recruiting agencies. Can we pierce this mystery? ..more
By Bettina L. Love, University of Georgia 06-May-20
Asking educators to understand how racism functions in their classrooms and to fight for social justice when they have so many issues to tackle every day may sound counterproductive, but many of their students’ traumas are a direct result of oppressive systems and ideologies. ..more
Resources and Tools for Education in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We invite all educators to add suggestions and we will update this list periodically. ..more